In this episode, I sit down with Steve Caton, someone who has spent years helping business owners figure out one of the hardest parts of running a business: sales. But this isn’t a heavy business conversation. It’s real, honest, and full of practical insight for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed trying to do everything on their own.

Steve shares his journey from starting his own business at a young age, to working with growing companies, and eventually building Altezza to help founders step out of the sales role so they can actually lead their business. We talk about why so many people struggle with sales, and he breaks it down in a way that just makes sense—whether it’s fear of rejection, feeling like sales is “slimy,” or just not feeling like you have the personality for it.

We also talk about what it looks like when things start to feel like too much, and how to recognize those moments before burnout hits. Steve shares simple, real-life signs to look for, along with encouragement for anyone who feels stuck or unsure of what to do next.

Of course, we talk about his podcast, Whiskey Is for Closers, and the stories he’s heard from other business owners along the way. It’s laid back, it’s honest, and it’s all about learning from each other.

This conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to figure everything out alone, and sometimes the best thing you can do is ask for help and learn from someone who’s been there before.

To connect with Steve visit https://altezzasolutions.com/.

To watch Whiskey is for Closers, visit http://www.youtube.com/@WhiskeyIsForClosers

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this episode, I talk with Travis Cournoyer about his book Courageous Curiosity and the journey that led him to write it. He shares openly about carrying a secret for years and how finally telling the truth became the foundation for everything he’s building now. We talk about what it really means to ask a “stupid question” and why those are often the very questions that lead to growth, clarity, and change.

Travis explains how fear and shame often keep us quiet, even when we know we need answers, and how learning to push through that discomfort can impact every area of life, from career decisions to relationships to parenting. He shares practical insight into how to slow down, reflect, and understand our own reactions instead of avoiding them, and why curiosity should be something we protect, not suppress.

We also get into the idea of creating a “curiosity comfort zone,” where people feel safe to ask anything without judgment, and how powerful that can be in families, friendships, and workplaces. Travis talks about his business, Ask Anyway, and his bigger vision for helping people reconnect in a world that often feels disconnected.

This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and encouraging. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to have everything figured out, but we do have to be willing to ask.

To find out more about Travis and his work, visit https://www.askanyway.org/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Nika Maples, someone who played a really meaningful role in my own journey.

What started as a desire to improve my writing turned into something much bigger, and in this conversation, we talk about how that happens more often than we realize. Nika shares how she went from being an English teacher who couldn’t quite figure out how to write a book, to someone who now helps others do exactly that. She breaks down the difference between short-form and long-form writing, and why writing a book requires a completely different kind of endurance.

We talk honestly about what holds people back from writing, especially the feeling that no one wants to hear what they have to say. Nika reframes what many people call “imposter syndrome” and explains why that label doesn’t really fit. She shares practical ways to get started, whether you have no idea what to write about or you already have a topic but feel stuck. From collecting stories from your own life to creating what she calls a “book bank,” she gives simple, doable steps that take the pressure off and help you move forward.

We also talk about writing the hard parts of your story and how to approach that in a healthy, thoughtful way. Nika shares her own experience writing honestly while still honoring the people involved and why slowing down in that process matters.

This conversation is a mix of practical writing advice, encouragement, and a reminder that most of what you need is already in you. You just have to start getting it out on paper.

To find out more about Nika and her work, visit nikamaples.com.

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast